Positive employment outlook: survey

Australian-based energy professionals are confident about their career prospects this year, according to a recent global job retention survey.

The survey, carried out by online data and recruitment resource Rigzone, indicated that 54 per cent of Australian-based energy professionals anticipated it would be easy to find a new position in the field in 2012. This result edged out respondents from the US (49 per cent), South America (46 per cent), the Middle East (45 per cent) and Europe (42 per cent).

The survey also revealed that nearly eight out of 10 Australian-based respondents reported being contacted by a recruiter in the last six months.

With an unemployment rate hovering around 4 per cent in Perth, Australia's energy capital, the battle for talent appears to be escalating, said Rigzone: "More than three-quarters (76 per cent) of Australian-based respondents noted calls from oil and gas recruiters are the same or higher today than just six months ago."

The survey also indicated that many energy professionals are open to new opportunities. The prime reason being the "lure of better career opportunities", followed by the desire for a better work/life balance and increased compensation.

By contrast, respondents report that recruiters lead with increased salaries, followed by the opportunity to work in a new location and better career opportunities.

"While Perth may be considered the most relaxed oil town in the world, this year is starting with an aggressive recruiting market which will put more pressure on energy companies to keep the talent they already have in place," said John Benson, Dice Holdings managing director Energy.

"There appears to be a mismatch between what is on offer - more money, and what energy professionals want - career advancement and balance."

Despite the talk of a skills battle and companies having to fight to retain staff, some 73 per cent  of employed oil and gas professionals who participated in the survey said their current firm has done nothing to deter them from moving to another company in the last six months. Almost half - 48 per cent - saif that colleagues quitting is on the rise; particularly those in geosciences, drilling, and health, safety and the environment (HSE) specialities.

The email survey by online data and recruitment resource Rigzone, was carried out from 2 - 9 January 2012. More than 27,800 employed professionals from around the world responded to the survey with some 849 identfied as working or residing in Australia.